On the calibration of a simplified method for rocking structures

A novel design concept known as "rocking isolation", which either allows the structure to uplift or the foundation to mobilize its bearing capacity, acts as a safety valve protecting the superstructure. Particularly for large intensity earthquakes that clearly exceed the design limits, the novel design concept shows superior performance than conventional capacity design. Since the performance assessment of rocking-isolated structures requires dynamic simulation (time history analysis), there is a need to develop simplified analysis methods that are computationally efficient in order to facilitate application of rocking isolation in engineering practice. The present work introduces an analytical formulation of such a simplified analysis method introduced by Anastasopoulos and Kontoroupi (2014), which allows for computational highly efficient simulations. Subsequently the calibration of the parameter related to damping is investigated. It is shown, that the simplified analysis is not sensitive to the herein investigated calibration methodologies.